Volume One, Chapter Sixty-Eight: Preparing to Face the Enemy Head-On

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Preparing for a Bold Confrontation

And finally, there's this damned barrier day.

My brothers and I, full to bursting with Brahmanic energy, as swollen as a cow’s udder, are itching to let loose. Energy, we've got more than enough. As for enlightenment, well, that's a question of talent—isn't it?

But is there a problem with my talent? I've comprehended the vastness of the cosmos without issue; how could a mere barrier trouble me?

Ha, perhaps I sound like I’m boasting? Well, I have, after all, achieved enlightenment.

Ordinarily, a small barrier to conceal one’s movements is nothing; even a larger one to shroud the workings of fate takes a massive amount of Brahmanic energy, but am I short on that? Even if I were to direct a comet to disturb the constellations, flood the sky with a meteor shower and smash things up so thoroughly the old Emperor's own mother wouldn't recognize him, would that pose any real problem?

So, my confidence soared. I felt it was necessary, as we departed, to teach Indra a real lesson. If I didn’t hurt him enough, I couldn’t imagine what he might do to my dear father and his family while I was gone.

Thus, I gathered my companions and solemnly laid out my plan.

A forceful strike—to show the old Emperor and that foolish Huluzhi a taste of our power. To make our mark, to make them fear us, to win our first sky in the Three Realms!

The battle-hungry pup was the first to cheer, waving her little paws and shrieking, “Yes, yes! Don't ask how many enemies there are, only ask where they are! Oh yeah—!”

Qin Lei and the three sorceresses were also fired up, their blood boiling, eager to fight, clearly overflowing with energy and destructive intent.

Yueyi listened as I described my plan, her gaze growing dreamy once more.

Look at my little brother—so decisive in battle, so wise beyond compare. Who’s the most handsome man? Is there any question? It’s my little brother!

The pup spent a long moment scrutinizing Yueyi, then said, “Yueyi, you look like you're in heat, so lascivious, so naughty…”

Everyone’s faces darkened.

Is this pup truly innocent, or just pretending?

I began my analysis of the enemy.

Now then, do you think Indra will simply let me leave for the North Pole without a fuss? There’s a chance, but it’s minuscule. Especially since we tricked him last time—he won’t let that go. He’s too petty for that.

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Moreover, our collective ascension has served as both a warning and a deterrent to the old Emperor and Huluzhi, but it’s also brought trouble. They’ll undoubtedly realize we possess a vast store of high-quality Brahmanic crystals.

A commoner is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. If the old Emperor isn't tempted to act, he truly must be a saint.

So, it’s certain—they’ll act, whether for revenge or for the treasure.

Ramo—

I felt like Han Xin, like Sun Wu, even like the legendary strategist himself; full of swagger, commanding the realm, waving my hand like a general surveying the land. Naturally, this drew the admiration of the sorceresses and battle pup, eyes sparkling with tiny stars.

I continued, showing off:

Ramo, from the perspective of the old Emperor and little Huluzhi, will they act personally? The likelihood is almost nil.

Three reasons.

First, my master, my godfather, and the Lord Mou’s renown is enough to cow them. If they were to turn against the Lords of the Desire Realm, Yama, and the Great Asura King, and kill me themselves, they’d have to be tired of living.

Second, the old Emperor and Huluzhi aren’t foolish enough to openly break with us now. For political reasons, he has to maintain his image as a defender of the Dharma in the Three Realms—so he won’t attack directly.

Third, considerations of gains and losses. The old Emperor isn’t like Huluzhi, who might not care, but the old Emperor will seek a strategy that allows him to attack while retaining the option to retreat, to deal with us and protect himself. Remember how he delivered sermons for days last time? It shows he’s adept at covering his tracks.

Ramo, we can boldly conclude: neither Indra nor Huluzhi will act personally. Their only option is to hire assassins, or perhaps they have powerful hidden forces at their disposal. Sister, what do you think?

Yueyi pondered, “As for hidden forces, after all these years, I’ve never sensed anything, so I can’t be sure.”

I nodded, continuing my act as a sage of war.

Ramo, let’s treat that uncertainty as a possibility. We must be prepared for anything—never fight without assurance. But that doesn’t mean we’re afraid.

Strategically, we must underestimate the enemy; tactically, we must take them seriously. Details determine success; we must prepare for rain before it falls. I already have a plan—whatever hidden forces they deploy, I’ll make sure they never return, leaving not a trace!

Oh yeah—

My bravado not only won stars from the pup, sorceresses, and Yueyi, but also roused cheers from Qin Lei, old Rahu, and the five retainers.

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The feeling of showing off is sublime!

Next, I made detailed arrangements, instructing the five retainers to follow behind—not to fight, but to prepare audio-visual crystals and record the entire battle from the shadows. At the very least, I want a live broadcast across the Six Heavens of the Desire Realm.

Intimidation! What is real intimidation?

If I don’t scare those with crooked ideas to their core, there will be no peaceful environment for my family to thrive.

Though the Three Realms judge by supernatural power, it doesn’t mean technological means are absent. After all, technology still imitates the effects of supernatural abilities.

So, recording and live-broadcasting important scenes, with the cooperation of influential figures, poses no problem. For example, when the Buddha taught in the Three Realms, didn’t all sentient beings see it on their own celestial screens?

My plan made old Rahu laugh heartily, barely able to contain himself. “That’s it. I’ll sit at home and watch the show!”

The troops haven’t moved, but the propaganda has begun.

On this day, the heavens of the Desire Realm suddenly received news: Mara’s disciple, Rahu the Great Asura King’s adopted son, Indra’s brother-in-law, the young King of Sumeru Mountain Jin Mu’s son, Tu Zhe, will visit the stations of the Dragon Kings and the Golden-Winged Bird Kings around the Deer Gathering Tree to pay his respects. Afterward, he will depart from beneath the Deer Gathering Tree, head straight for Mount Chakral, tour the sights of Hell, and finally travel through the temporal wormhole of Hell to the distant North Pole.

Hmm?

What does this mean? Is he foolish enough to think he’s safe, showing off? Or is he openly provoking us, daring us to respond?

Indra pondered for a long time, then sneered. “Whatever it means, before overwhelming power, all schemes are mere clouds! I’ll do what I must.

I don’t believe you won’t meet your end at my hands.”